Volume 13, Issue 9 pp. 1738-1755
REVIEW

Mesenchymal stem cells: Cell therapy and regeneration potential

Christina Brown

Christina Brown

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

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Christina McKee

Christina McKee

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

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Shreeya Bakshi

Shreeya Bakshi

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

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Keegan Walker

Keegan Walker

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

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Eryk Hakman

Eryk Hakman

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, USA

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Sophia Halassy

Sophia Halassy

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, USA

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David Svinarich

David Svinarich

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, USA

Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, USA

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Robert Dodds

Robert Dodds

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, USA

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Chhabi K. Govind

Chhabi K. Govind

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

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G. Rasul Chaudhry

Corresponding Author

G. Rasul Chaudhry

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

Correspondence

G. Rasul Chaudhry, Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 19 June 2019
Citations: 439

Abstract

Rapid advances in the isolation of multipotent progenitor cells, routinely called mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), from various human tissues and organs have provided impetus to the field of cell therapy and regenerative medicine. The most widely studied sources of MSCs include bone marrow, adipose, muscle, peripheral blood, umbilical cord, placenta, fetal tissue, and amniotic fluid. According to the standard definition of MSCs, these clonal cells adhere to plastic, express cluster of differentiation (CD) markers such as CD73, CD90, and CD105 markers, and can differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages in vitro. However, isolated MSCs have been reported to vary in their potency and self-renewal potential. As a result, the MSCs used for clinical applications often lead to variable or even conflicting results. The lack of uniform characterization methods both in vitro and in vivo also contributes to this confusion. Therefore, the name “MSCs” itself has been increasingly questioned lately. As the use of MSCs is expanding rapidly, there is an increasing need to understand the potential sources and specific potencies of MSCs. This review discusses and compares the characteristics of MSCs and suggests that the variations in their distinctive features are dependent on the source and method of isolation as well as epigenetic changes during maintenance and growth. We also discuss the potential opportunities and challenges of MSC research with the hope to stimulate their use for therapeutic and regenerative medicine.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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